Loose leaf binder



Nov. 29, 1932.

P. 5. UNGER 1,889,230

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed July 30, 1952.

I N VEN TOR. 0 404 O. Z/A/GEE A TTORNE Y.

Patented Nov. 29, 1932 earlier caries IAUL O. UNGER, 0F GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS,

nssrenoa 'ro winson-aonns COMPANY, OF

GHICAGOQILLINOIS, A COBPOR-ATIDN OF MASSACHUSETTS Loose LEAF BINDER Application filed July 30,

This invention relates particularly to a loose leaf binder of the catalog type, although it may be used with any style ofpost binder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a loose leaf binder of this type in which the alignment of the posts with the locking slide may be accomplished with less trouble than in the past. It is a further object of this invention to provide visible means for guiding the heads of the posts into engagement with the locking bar. It is a further "object ofthis invention to provideimproved means for holding the posts in locked position and to give the post heads support in both walls ofthe case. Other objects of thisinvention will become apparent upon reading the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing in which Figure 1 1s a perspectiveview of a loose leaf binder embodying my invention with.

parts broken away to facilitate illustration;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the binding post and related'structure Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan View of the locking slide and related structure;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the locking slide with the top of the sheath broken: away; and

j Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the locking slide and sheath. 7

In the drawing the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of covers connected by a back 4. The cover 2 carries a fabric loop 5 which extends the entire length of the binder and encloses a metal strip 6. A plurality of.

tubular posts 7 are rigidly secured to metal strip 6, as indicated at 8. The upper portion of the tubular post 7 is reduced diameter, as indicated at 9, and is provided with internal threads 10. A. screw post 11 has itslower end 12 threaded to engage with the threads 10 so that the height of the posts may be adjusted within certainlimits. .Since the maximum heightof the posts depends upon the width of the back itis obviousthat if the back were made extensible, or'omitted altogether, that the posts could be made anydesired height. i a

. The binder is provided with a metal transfer bar 13 having a plurality of depending sleeves liadaptedto fit over the tubular posts 1932. Serial in. 628,919.

7. The transfer bar retains the uppermost er portion of the tubular post-7 so that the sleeves 14 fit snugly. The screw post 11 is provided at its top with a neck 16 of reduced diameter and a button 17 of the same diameter as the portion 15. A pin 18 extends from the topsurface of the-button 17.

a The cover 3 of the binder is provided with a fabric loop 19, similar to the member 5, which encloses a metal sheath 20. The lower surface of the sheath 20 is notched, as indicated at 21, to accommodate the portion 15 of the screw post 11. The outer edge of the sheath 20'adjacent the, notch 21 is cut away,

'as indicated at 22 so that the sheath may be positioned by a horizontal sliding movement. The top of the sheath 20 is provided with a narrow slot 23 adapted to receive the pin 18. The slot 23 is provided with a flared'mouth 24 to facilitate guiding the pin 18 into the sl0t23. The slot 23 fits the pin 18 snugly and aids in preventing movement of the screw posts when the binder is closed. i

The sheath 20'carries a locking slide 25 which is provided with a downturned handle 26 by which it may be operated. The locking slide has a slot 27 into which a portion 28 struck out from the sheath 20 fits to limit longitudinal movement of the slide in one direction. Movement of the slide in the other direction is limited by the downturned hanof substantially the same height as the thick ness ofthe top wall of the sheath 20 so that the top of the pin is substantially flush with the top of the sheath when the binder is in locked position.

The operation of the binder is as follows: A plurality of sheets 32 are mounted on the transfer bar 13 which is then inverted and positioned over theposts of the binder. The tops of the posts arethen screwed down until the tops of the portions 15 of the screw posts are substantially flush with the top of the transfer bar 13. The sheath is then moved into position over the transfer bar 13 so that the reduced neck portions 16 of the screw posts 11 are positioned in theslots 29 and the pins 18 are snugly engaged by the slots 23. The locking slide is then moved longi- 'tudinally so that the slots snugly engage the reduced neck portions 16 of the screw posts. The engagement of the slide 25 with the reduced neck portions 16 forces'the sheath 20 slightly downward so that the notches 21snugl-y engage the portions 15 of the screw.

posts 11.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that each post 11 is securely held at three points of contact in my improved structure.

'The portion 15 contacts with the edges of the slot 21; the portion 16 contactswith'the edges of'the slot 30 and the portion 18 contacts with theedges of the slot 23. These three separate points of contact constitute an exceptionally rigid connection between the post and the sheath 20 and prevent'any relative movement thereb'etween when the binder is closed.

The slot 23 serves an additional purpose besides increasing the stu'r-diness of the connection between the sheath 20 and the posts. It enables theuser'tosce the top of'the posts so that the sheath may be more readily positioned. With'my construction it is possible for'th'e user to position the sheath 20 by snappingit down over the posts like aglove fastener or by sliding it horizontally. The top of 'the pin 18' is substantiallyflush with the top of the sheath 20 so that none of the advantages of a non-protruding post are dis- 'pense'd'with and manyadvantages not here- 'to'fore' deemed possible'with a non-protruding post are attained.

Although have described my invention in'cons'iderabl'e detail, it will be understood that various structuraldetails maybe modi- .fie'd without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact details described except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of covers, a tubular sheath secured to one of said covers, a metal strip secured to said second cover, a post carried by said strip, a button on said post adapted to fit within said sheath, a slot in the top surface of said sheath, and a pin extending from said button adapted to fit in said slot.

2. Ina loose leaf binder, a headed post having a pin extending from the top thereof, and'a tubular sheath having its bottom wall slotted to receive one portion of said post and its top wall slotted to receive said pin.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a headed post having a pin extending from the top thereof, a tubular sheath having opposite walls slotted to receive a portion of said post and said pin, and means in said sheath to retain said post in position.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a post provided with a button adjacent its upper end, a metal sheath slotted so as to receive said button, and a pin extending from the top of said button and fitting into a slot in the top wall of said sheath.

5. In a loose leaf binder, a post provided I with a button adjacent its upper end, and a to the top wall of said sheath, a post having 7 a button adjacent one end thereof, said button being receivable in said sheath between said locking slide and said top wall, said top wall of said sheath being provided with a slot, and means on said post adapted to cooperate with said slot to facilitate positioning of said button.

7 In a loose leaf binder, a post provided with a reduced neck portion near its upper end, a button adjacent said reduced neck portion, and a pin extending from the top surface of said button, a tubular sheath notched to engage said post adjacent said reduced neck portion and to engage said pin, and a locking slide carried by said sheath, said slide being notched to engage said post at said reduced neck portion.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of covers, a metal strip carried by one of said covers, a post secured to said strip, said post being provided with a reduced neck portion near its upper end, and a pin at the upper extremity of said post, a tubular sheath carried by said second cover. a plurality of interconnecting slots in said sheath adapted to receive said post, and means to maintain said scribed my name.

PAUL O. UNGER. 

